GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The first court sentencing in a plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been handed down as of Wednesday, according to a report from WWMT.
Ty Garbin, a 25-year-old airplane mechanic, will face six years and three months in prison for his role in the plot, which was lower than the recommended nine-year sentence.
Following his arrest last year, Garbin decided to take a plea deal and testify against other people accused of being involved in the plot. A total of six men, including Garbin, are being federally prosecuted.
The plot was crafted in response to statewide shutdowns under the COVID-19 pandemic.
At this time, Garbin is the only person in the plot to enter a guilty plea.
He testified that armed training sessions took place at his home in Luther, MI, which included a house used for target practice. The practice building was meant to represent Whitmer’s vacation home, according to Garbin.
While some have argued that the plan was nothing more than banter among friends, Garbin said that the participants were serious about executing the plot.
Ahead of Garbin’s sentencing, Governor Whitmer released a victim impact statement to media outlets.
In part, Whitmer wrote the following –
“The plots and threats against me, no matter how disturbing, could not deter me from doing everything I could to save as many lives as possible by listening to medical and health experts,” Whitmer wrote. “To me it is very simple: this had to be the priority.”
She also noted that threats against her have continued beyond the point of when the plot details were made public.
“Kidnapping plots and death threats endanger not just individuals but democracy itself,” Whitmer added. “We must hold those who resort to threats and violence accountable. We can no longer ignore the hate and bloodshed within our borders.”
However, she also gave credit to Garbin for his admittance of guilt.
“I would like to acknowledge this defendant for taking responsibility, accepting the consequences of his actions and assisting in bringing others to justice.”
The other men charged in the plot, Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Adam Fox (accused of being the ringleader), are due back in court this Friday.
